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Shaping the Future: Making a Vision for Craft in the North West

As members of the North West Craft Network, we will be taking part in this afternoon of talks and activities that will shape the future of craft in the North West

What are the challenges you face as someone who works with craft in the North West? What can we do to make craft and makers great? What actually is the Northern Powerhouse? What does the future hold?

Come and talk about your challenges; hear inspirational speakers on topics such as trends, Northern-ness and new technologies and what they might mean for us; take part in structured sessions that will form a plan of action to strengthen the sector, and build your connections with a vibrant network of makers, galleries, museums, educators and arts organisations. Together we can make the North West a brilliant place for contemporary craft and the people who make it.

Speakers so far announced include Louise Allen, Head of Innovation and Development Programmes, Design and Crafts Council Ireland and renowned Scottish Artist, Designer and educator, Geoffrey Mann, with more to follow.

Special sessions will seek your views on a host of potential activities that could form future plans – how can we have more quality exhibitions, better selling, more great craft events, better maker support, and lots of regional pride. Ideas addressing these and lots more will be on the table.

There will be lots of opportunity for you to ask specific targeted questions about your practice. Central to the afternoon will be a networking hub gathering many of the members of the NW Craft Network Development Group. These include makers, galleries, curators, museums and more. They’ll be ready to meet you, chat about your practice and answer questions.

Find out more about the speakers and the content of the day, and book your tickets here